Winter at Tantora, Saudi Arabia’s most celebrated cultural festival, returns from 18 December 2025 to 10 January 2026, inviting visitors to experience the magic of AlUla during its most enchanting time of year.

This year’s theme, Winter Brings Us Together, captures the festival’s spirit of connection, creativity, and celebration. Across three weeks, Winter at Tantora will transform the ancient oasis into a living tapestry of heritage, music, art, gastronomy, and shared stories to bring together communities and visitors from around the world for an unforgettable cultural event.

Rooted in AlUla’s fascinating history, Winter at Tantora celebrates the region’s timeless traditions through captivating experiences.

Journey through time and tradition

The Midday at Tantora tour offers visitors a glimpse into the origins of the Tantora sundial – the ingenious timekeeping method that inspired the festival’s name, while the Tantora Square Community Celebrations mark the beginning of the winter planting season through ritual, storytelling, and communal gathering.

In the Old Town, guests can discover the soul of AlUla through Old Town Nights, an extraordinary dinner-and-show experience combining live performance, heritage storytelling, and fine dining at the historic AlUla Fort.
Nearby, the Old Town Culinary Voyage takes visitors on a sensory journey through local flavours, traditional ingredients, and the stories that shaped them, while the Old Town Wall Art Walk showcases hand-painted murals that celebrate the Year of Handicraft.

Entertainment and unmissable performances

Winter at Tantora brings the spirit of music to life through a series of exceptional performances set against AlUla’s most iconic backdrops. The season opens with Shorfat Tantora, where music flows from the rooftops of AlJadidah as ensembles perform from balconies along the Incense Road. This multi-level concert experience blends Saudi classics, operatic pieces, and contemporary sounds, transforming the lively district into an open-air symphony unique to AlUla.

As part of the official Winter at Tantora programme, the Thanaya Concert Series returns to dazzle audiences in one of AlUla’s most dramatic natural settings. Nestled between towering canyons, this open-air venue invites visitors to enjoy powerful performances beneath the night sky. Emirati singer and actress Ahlam, known for her commanding stage presence and expressive Khaleeji sound, will deliver a highly anticipated performance for her devoted fans on 26 December. To close out 2025, a remarkable double bill will bring together two of the Arab world’s most celebrated voices: Assala Nasri, the Queen of Arab Music, will enchant audiences with her timeless repertoire, while Lebanese star Adam will share his signature emotive style, offering an evening of unforgettable artistry on 31 December.

Beyond the festival’s dedicated programme, AlUla’s wider destination offering continues to shine with world-class concerts at Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored venue. Upcoming performances include a number of highly anticipated concerts featuring leading regional artists. On 19 December, acclaimed vocalist Wael Kfoury will bring his powerful stage presence and romantic repertoire to Maraya, delivering an evening that promises to delight his fans. Lebanese superstar Elissa will then take to the stage on 9 January with a much-anticipated concert featuring her most beloved hits. Additional performances will be announced soon as part of Maraya’s renowned Classical Concert Series.

With demand expected to be high, visitors are encouraged to stay tuned for further concert announcements and ticket release updates.

Luxury gastronomy and community experiences

AlUla’s reputation as a destination for world-class dining continues to flourish during Winter at Tantora. Among the many exceptional culinary options, exceptional fine-dining experiences will headline the season: Prima Classe offers a refined culinary experience inspired by the golden age of Italian travel, transporting diners to a world of timeless sophistication. While Ducasse in AlUla returns under globally acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse, fusing French sophistication with local inspiration.

These offerings, in addition to numerous other dining locations to suit all tastes and occasions, reflect AlUla’s growing profile as a destination that combines cultural depth and modern luxury.

At the heart of Winter at Tantora is a celebration of community. The AlManshiyah Carnival will light up weekends throughout the festival with entertainment, local food markets, family-friendly performances, and cultural dance displays – creating a joyous atmosphere that captures the true essence of AlUla.

Visitors can also embark on outdoor adventures that showcase AlUla’s breathtaking landscapes, connecting nature, exploration, and wellbeing in an unforgettable winter setting.

Find Your Moment in AlUla

First launched in 2018 as AlUla’s flagship cultural festival, Winter at Tantora forms part of the AlUla Moments 2025–26 calendar, a year-round programme of festivals and events celebrating the destination’s creativity, heritage and natural beauty. The programme continues with the Ancient Kingdoms Festival running from 20 November to 6 December, followed by the AlUla Arts Festival from 16 January to 14 February. AlUla will also host major sporting events including AlUla Desert Polo (16–17 January), AlUla Trail Race (22–23 January), and the internationally renowned AlUla Tour (27–31 January), AlFursan Endurance AlUla (7-8 February). Across every festival, visitors can discover new ways to experience the magic of AlUla — a place to explore, to reflect and to find their moment.